LOUISVILLE, K.y. – A victory in the Kentucky Derby would be an early birthday present for a few of this year’s starters.
DRF Past Performances
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LOUISVILLE, K.y. – Mark Casse had always intended to step up the intensity of War of Will’s training between the Louisiana Derby, his final prep on March 23, and the Kentucky Derby 42 days later. But after what transpired in the Louisiana Derby, War of Will’s subsequent training took on even greater importance.
The Lecomte and Risen Star winner, War of Will lost his action shortly after the start of the race and never got involved, finishing ninth. Casse theorized that the colt caught his patella at the start.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – But for a desperate lunge and the bob of a nose, Mike Trombetta wouldn’t even be here at Churchill Downs this week.
“I’d be back home in Maryland getting this horse ready for the Preakness,” said the 52-year-old trainer of Kentucky Derby starter Win Win Win.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Just a few minor touches were being made on Monday as the Kentucky Derby neared, with a field that looked as though it would be more than the maximum of 20, a development that would keep out several horses who want in.
Final works were recorded by Long Range Toddy here at Churchill Downs, and by Bodexpress and Maximum Security in Florida. Barring anything unforeseen, Bodexpress was going to wind up on the also-eligible list when entries were taken and posts drawn Tuesday.
The Kentucky Derby Sire Future Wager, which ran concurrently with the first Kentucky Derby Future Wager pool from Nov. 22- 25, may have provided an opportunity for pedigree-savvy handicappers to cash in.
Omaha Beach is the expected Derby favorite off victories in the Arkansas Derby and a division of the Rebel Stakes. Both he and multiple graded stakes winner War of Will are certain to go off at odds lower than that of their sire War Front, who closed at 41-1 in the future wager.
Master Fencer will become the first Japanese-bred to start in the Kentucky Derby. But the colt, who is looking to become the first non-North American-bred to win the classic since British-born Tomy Lee in 1959, is not without Kentucky connections.
Horsemen would go anywhere to find a Kentucky Derby horse, and this year’s prospective runners come from many avenues – homebreds born as close as Kentucky or as far away as Japan; runners purchased at major North American auction houses such as Keeneland and Fasig-Tipton; and even claiming races.
Among those, War of Will’s journey has been roundabout. The colt was born in Kentucky but took a side trip to France, where bloodstock agent Justin Casse, brother of trainer Mark Casse, purchased him on behalf of owner Gary Barber.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Six months later, trainer Shug McGaughey still wonders what might have been in the Breeders’ Cup at Churchill Downs. Now, the Hall of Fame trainer wonders what might be in the Kentucky Derby.
